Looked at this light at Home Depot today ($29). Hmmm, a couple of them in a row (and shortened)? They also had the dressed up "shop light" florescent like I posted in my original post ... 

 cc_rider wrote: 

 ScottFromWyoming wrote:  You people are enjoying this, aren't you...

 JRenea wrote: 

 JRenea wrote: 

is that a rule or a pre-conception?

 cc_rider wrote: 
Darling, 'chandeliers' don't have galvanized pipe or buckets.  Jus' sayin'...

 saratzea wrote: 
I agree - it can be a very relaxing task if approached in the right way.

And it is something you can do and see immediate results.

 oldslabsides wrote:
  Yeah, I prolly shoulda thought about that one a little longer...

 cc_rider wrote: 

She lives with you now, you know.  Wear your helmet when you go home tonight.

 saratzea wrote:
  I'm not sure whether to have you committed, or marry you.
Edit: In case you're reading, I'm kidding, honey! Nobody washes my dishes like you do, my love.

 Antigone wrote: 
I do think lighting the walls, rather than lighting the center of the room, makes a much lovelier light.  Maybe two overhead lights... one at each end of the kitchen.  CC's right about dispersing the light.

I like lights that are open on top... the light spreads on the ceiling nicely:


I love sconces too:

 Antigone wrote: 
I like to wash dishes 

 ScottFromWyoming wrote: 
I'm the dishwasher in this household, so the less stuff to clean the better!

 ScottFromWyoming wrote:
 
Good point. All those fiddly wires could become grunge magnets. Plus, shadow-wise, part of the trick is getting the right amount of diffusion from the bulb/lens. Lighting design is trickier than it looks, huh?

 cc_rider wrote: 
Like a ceiling fan in the kitchen, Track lighting gets gross. You want something without a lot of detail IMO. Better if you can take the trim off and put it thru the dishwasher.
 
And anyway, the track lighting still casts shadows. 

 rosedraws wrote:  Good point. An overhead light is fine for ambient lighting, but task lighting is important in the kitchen. When my folks built their house, the electricians taped out on the floor where the cabinets and sink would be, then marked 'work areas'. They used a plumb bob at each work spot to mark the location for the built-in can lights. When you work in that kitchen you don't even notice you have plenty of light right where you need it!

But of course that's not gonna work here. Another possibility might be a low-voltage track or wire system. There are a lot of options now in low voltage, it used to be all halogens but I bet LEDs have made a lot of progress. There are lots of options for the supply wires too: from two thin cables strung across, to a flexible bar that can be 'molded' for the space. If I have time today I'll see what I can find online, just to muddy the waters a bit more!

 JrzyTmata wrote: 
I've got some "task" lighting (over the sink and on the stove) but the kitchen (remember, Rose?) is central and often the only light on in the house, so it's good to have something that casts light in all directions. It's a very small kitchen, with limited counter space.

All this is good. I appreciate everyone's thoughts.

 rosedraws wrote: 
lighting under the cabinet onto your work area will be much better than ceiling light.

 Antigone wrote: 
I suggest whatever it takes to get light on the work area, rather than lighting your back and casting a shadow on your work area.  Check out track lighting options.

That big florescent is too industrial looking I think...

 JrzyTmata wrote: 
Another good point! Gas stove.